Shaken But Okay

Perhaps it's just our magnetic personalities, but the Waldon kids seem to have been working out some collision karma recently. Thankfully I came out of mine in better shape than Lacey did, though Gloria is going to need some work.

I had gone shape note singing this afternoon, which should be the subject of a happier post, since it was nice to be back there after more than a year. At a little before 7:00 I was on the Shoreline exit (from 101/85 North), nearly home. The curve there is always one to pay attention to, so I was slowing down and watching the van ahead of me to make sure he stayed in his lane. Then some other car zipped out of nowhere, way too fast for that exit, and came up from behind me at an angle, hitting poor Gloria all along the right front side. I was sent into the next lane, but kept enough control to keep from hitting the barrier, and the car careened on ahead of me to hit the van. They both ricocheted around a bit, with the van pulling off to the left and the bad guy car whacking up against the barrier on the other side of the road. I pulled over briefly, but then realized Gloria was still functional and decided to get the heck off that exit ramp, so I pulled into the parking lot of the Computer History Museum, which is right there on Shoreline. Some stuff was thrown around inside the car, but I didn't collide with anything myself, and luckily the windows didn't break.

The cops were already on the scene once I got back to check on the folks in the van and see if they were alright. I think they had gotten calls about a reckless driver and were already after him. They spent a while dealing with him, though I never heard if he was drunk or what. Eventually they checked everybody out and got statements from us all, though I was at the end of several folks who were hit. It was an hour before I got to head home.

The headlight that was crunched still gives basic light, so that was good for getting home. The passenger door doesn't open more than a few inches, though, and she's pretty bashed up along that side. The guy had insurance, so I'll start hashing out how to get everything fixed tomorrow probably. Sigh. Even if I don't have to pay for it I'm not looking forward to the inconvenience. As for myself, I'm kind of shaken and feeling a slight ache in my legs, which may just be aggravation of recent stress (from dancing and starting to jog again recently). I may notice something more once I've slept and gotten the adrenaline out of my system. I'm going to try to go to Dr. Shawn (my chiropractor) tomorrow a day earlier than usual, just to get a check and an adjustment as soon as possible (and before I give up Gloria to a repair shop).

Interestingly, at the singing today I found out that one friend wasn't there because of a brain tumor. His wife was telling me how the first seizures came out of nowhere, and remarking on how you can have all the plans you want for the future and they can still just be wiped out in one go by something unexpected. Getting blindsided by a reckless driver half an hour later really drives home that point. I'm glad and grateful that I can walk away from it and continue to appreciate the life I have. Be thankful for what you have while you have it, and don't take your time here for granted.